Interview with Heathen Hearts

Answers; Jere Orre / Guitars and Backing Vocals, Lauri Sillanpää / Guitars and backing vocals

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I remember the first time that music actually blew my mind was Michael Jackson which I still listen to this day. The band that made me pick up a guitar and want to form my own band was Iron Maiden which is still one of my favorites of all time. I’ve been playing in different bands for over half of my life, and without the music, I'd probably be doing the normal things as now, such as work and hanging out with family and friends etc. and be in an eternal loop of trying to figure out how to express myself. -Jere

Since I was six or something I have been strumming around with an old acoustic we had at home. I was like 12 years old when Children Of Bodom became the gateway drug for me to really start playing guitar. Despite that I used to play bass in bands for a few years since there were so many guitarists already in our high school scene. I can't really imagine life without music. But without it I would be doing some other form of art. - Lauri

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Work, hanging out with friends and family, spending time with my daughter and just the regular things that makes me happy besides the music. Don't think it has any affect on my creativity, since it's usually pretty spontaneous. -Jere

I listen to a lot of music everyday and I think that influences the creativity a lot. Especially when you listen to a lot of different genres. - Lauri

How long has your band been around?

Heathen Hearts was formed in fall 2021, so we are quite a new band. Everybody in the band has been playing in different bands since our early teens, so there is experience and a certain work ethic on how we want to push this band forward. -Jere

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Heathen Hearts is based in Kotka, Finland. Midsize city in southern Finland, right by the sea. I wouldn’t say that there is any influence from the city itself, but of course we have quite a long history with metal and punk music in our hometown which makes it rather easy to find people to play with you and share the same interests towards music. -Jere

Yep as Jere said there are a lot of metal bands here, and that has influenced me to play metal since my teens. - Lauri

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Our vocalist Antti came up with the name Heathen Hearts and long story short, Heathen refers to someone who does not share the beliefs of dogmatic religions like for example christianity. The name resonates with the freedom to choose what or what not to believe in and how you want to live your life. It is an individual choice which others should respect. -Jere

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

We have played only two shows with this band, with both being memorable for different reasons, but I’d still go with the first show we played in our hometown this past summer. The place was packed with family, friends and unknown people, and it was a sweaty and somehow connective night. The magic was there. But there will be a lot more to come, that's for sure. Of course in the past with my previous or current bands there is a lot to tell but not going to list them here. -Jere

The first show in a packed venue with a couple of mosh pits was pretty damn dope and memorable! - Lauri

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I’ve been playing from squads to backyards and from bars to festivals and to me it really doesn’t matter which kind of venue it is so I don’t have any favorite venue to mention basically. Ultimate dream would be touring outside of Finland at any kind of venues, and playing in big metal festivals like Tuska, Wacken, Download to mention some. -Jere

It would be lovely to play in the most legendary venue in Finland, Tavastia. And of course as Jere mentioned those huge metal festivals. - Lauri

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Though one. Wembley Arena with Dave Murray and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden would be playing guitars with me, Flea from RHCP would be the bassist, Joey Jordison (RIP) on drums and Dua Lipa on vocals. That would be very interesting for sure. -Jere

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

First of all, practice your instrument, make sure that you have a good chemistry in the band, and practice a lot as a band. Have some kind of filter on your music, budget and plan the releases pre hand. -Jere

Practice and practice, there are no shortcuts. And remember to have fun whilst doing it! - Lauri

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Think before you do. -Jere

Don't waste your energy on worrying too much. - Lauri

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Probably “Ichor”, the opening track from the first EP. First riff’s that I wrote for this band, first music video I’ve ever done in my life and opening track of our first release. I think we delivered a pretty aggressive yet catchy package on that song and to me all the above makes it quite special. -Jere

Ichor is the baby where it all started so it has a special place in my heart. - Lauri

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Two songs that are not yet released in recorded form, but they’d be our live show opening track and the last track. -Jere

World of Ash has such a sweet groove on the verses that at this moment I would say it is my favorite to play. - Lauri

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Usually the song writing starts just recording ideas at home, and sometimes it turns out to be a rather completed song, or then just a bunch of ideas to bounce around at the rehearsal place. All the final arrangements are done in the rehearsal place by all of us, and lastly Antti writes and arranges the lyrics for a completed song. Inspiration to write usually just pops up out of nowhere, a riff, rhythm or melody that just comes to mind. Sometimes I program drums first and then just start jamming on top of the drums. -Jere

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Even though we’re making aggressive music, I’d like people to have the same feelings from our music that I get from whenever I listen to any kind of good music. Something that just speaks and makes you feel something that cannot be explained. -Jere

Maybe to find some comfort in this mess of a world. - Lauri

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Not yet at least. Very small things maybe, but nothing major. -Jere

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Few shows for this fall and we are currently booking shows in Finland for next year, constantly writing new material and of course planning the next release which we hope to be putting out latest early next year. -Jere